Kochi: As the south-west monsoon gained strength across the state, heavy rains caused widespread damage in Ernakulam on Friday.
The coastal village of Chellanam is reeling under severe sea erosion as ferocious waves ravaging the houses along the coastal region where there is no sea wall. The waves damaged nearly 100 houses in Companypadi, Bazarand and Maruvakakd areas and the residents are up in arms against the authorities for their failure in completing the sea wall construction before the monsoon intensifies. Houses, toilets and drains were destructed.
Even the temporary sea wall constructed using geotubes failed to withstand the waves. However, the coastal residents are not willing to accept the government’s plan to rehabilitate them permanently and demand construction of seawall using granite, which according to them is the permanent solution, instead.
Meanwhile, water level in river Periyar is increasing as rains intensified in Idukki and the dam’s catchment areas. “Since the IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rains in the areas for next couple of days, water level in the river might rise further. People residing along the banks of the river should be careful,” said executive engineer of the Periyar Valley Irrigation project.
Shutters of Malankara dam have been opened and the RDO issued alert for residents along the banks of Muvattupuzha river.
Perumbavoor received highest rainfall of 122 mm in Ernakulam while Ernakulam south received 110 mm and Kochi international airport received 116.2 mm of rainfall.
Water level Bhoothathankettu, Idama-layar and Malankara dams is fast increasing. Nine shutters of Bhoothathankettu dam remain opened.
